CONTEMPORARY ISSUES 50
"Information & Academic Libraries"

Spring Quarter 2005
Mon. & Wed., 1:00pm - 1:50pm
Galbraith Hall Room 264

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COURSE SYLLABUS

Instructor: Esteban Valdez, 858-822-4808
OFFICE: CLICS, Galbraith Hall Room 266
Email: evaldez@ucsd.edu

OFFICE HOURS

By appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION

CI 50 is an introductory course for teaching research methods, primarily, but not exclusively delivered through libraries. It provides a basic approach to information arrangement and access, with an emphasis on technology and the UCSD library system.

GOAL

The goal of this course is to teach you how to become information literate:

1. To gain a working knowledge of typical information storage and retrieval conventions.
2. To develop a systematic and critical method of conducting research which you will then be able to apply to immediate academic needs as well as to life-long information needs.

OBJECTIVES

You will achieve at least the following as a result of taking this course, possibly you will learn more:

  • Familiarity with print and online resources sufficient to make critical decisions about retrieved information and to conduct research in the UCSD Libraries to meet most course assignments;
  • Searching capability in ROGER, including all LIMIT features, sufficient to retrieve books, periodical subscriptions, and government documents at UCSD Libraries;
  • Skill in utilizing selected article databases sufficient to search, modify, retrieve, print and electronically mail results for journal, magazine, and newspaper articles.

REQUIREMENTS

Included are regular attendance and demonstrated acquisition of skills using information finding tools through guided practice, assignments, and a term project.

All assignments are due on the day indicated by the instructor. Penalties may be incurred for late assignments.

The nature of this course is cumulative, meaning that it is not possible to catch up in the last week of class.

While a certain degree of student collaboration is encouraged, all work submitted by students must be their own. Students are urged to read and understand the Student Conduct Code, especially Section 22.16.10.10., and the UCSD Policy on Integrity of Scholarship.

GRADING

Final term project = 60 points
Assignments = 20 points
Midterm = 10 points
Attendance =10 points

ADD/DROP DEADLINES

Last day to add classes--April 8
Last day to change grading option, change units, and DROP classes without "W" appearing on transcript--April 22.
Last day to DROP WITHOUT PENALTY OF "F" grade - end of 9th week--May 27.

TEXTS (You are not required to buy the following texts.)

Gates, Jean Key. Guide to the Use of Libraries and Information Sources.
Mann, Thomas. The Oxford Guide to Library Research.
Modern Language Association. The MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 6th edition.